Spring Training

Maddox had her first outing out in the baby jogger for the spring (yes, I realize that is a bit optomistic)! When I got home from work, Maddox and Laura were in the garage and had just gotten in from a run. These pics are from just before, during and after the run. She's been doing really well. She is rolling over quite a bit - definitely prefers to be on her stomach rather than her back. She has started to figure out how to roll so her arm doesn't get pinned underneath her, which is fun to watch. We're taking a break from trying cereal, Maddox was just too frustrated shortly after starting the bowl, we are going to give it a break and then try to reintroduce it again soon. We also put a humidifier in her room to try and help with some of her congestion, she is normally really stuffy and plugged up in the morning (sorry Maddox, you got dad's genes on that one...). She has also started to get upset when we leave the room, and then immediately changes to smiles as soon as she sees us again - let the games begin :) That's all for now. Take care. Eric

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy 5 months Maddox-for real!

So we celebrated Maddox's 5 month birthday yesterday....a second time since! I was jumping the gun a couple weeks back. Can't believe she is 5 months already. Everyone said times flies after you have kids but it really actually does! She is doing well. Nothing too new this week. Still rolling over and still needing a little help to get her arm out from under her. She just hasn't figured that out yet...or better yet, she isn't strong enough to do it yet. We're still giving her cereal for one feeding, at night usually, either right before or right after her evening bath. She is swallowing better but still seems to get mad fairly quick into the feeding. Can't figure out if she doesn't like it or it is too cold or too thick or too runny or I"m feeding her too slowly or maybe she just prefers milk?? But, we keep trying. She has definitely figured out how to make a big mess though. As soon as she gets mad (usually about 1/2 way through the bowl)....look out cereal goes everywhere. I try to rescue her quickly and give her some milk so as not to make the feeding experience too traumatic. We'll keep pluggin' away but may try a different type of food soon. She is really loving books. I read to her after her first feeding in the AM and Eric does every evening. She appears to have figured out how to turn the page?? Well, let's say she puts her hands up to the pages and we sort of turn it for her and then praise her..!! She'll get it soon I'm sure though. Not much else going on. I'll write again soon....

Maddox's first cereal experience

Well...I first have to say I was a little off on Maddox being 5 months. She isn't quite there yet....of course not until the 16th. Having a little trouble keeping up on weeks/months. We'll have another celebration in a few days. Maddox had her first taste of cereal yesterday and she did really well. In fact there were times that I couldn't get it to her FAST enough. She would open that little mouth like a bird....hurry mom...hurry mom. And yes the spoon does look a lot like a toothbrush but rest assured it really is a spoon! The high chair she sits in has enough straps that I think it looks like she could take off in it. It has all these cool functions that raise it up and down and recline it....and it just attaches to a regular chair so we can bring it with us when we go to Grandpa and Grandma's house. A lot of the cereal came back out of her mouth, just not quite coordinated yet with the tongue, but I think a lot went down too. We had a great audience for her first cereal. Grandma and Grandpa Knowles and Great Grandma Reta came over from Washington to visit and watch how she did with the cereal. It was very fun.....luckily Grandpa had brought a Valentine's Day bib. I hadn't even thought of a bib?? Thanks for saving the clothes Grandpa. We also celebrated Grandma Knowles' birthday. Grandpa tried to give Maddox a taste of the birthday cake icing but she wouldn't have it. She gave him the funniest look, like ' I know I'm not supposed to have that...what are you doing?'. Not taking icing??? My kid?? Did I bring the wrong baby home from the hospital?? I'm sure she'll be happy to have that icing in several more months on her birthday. Enjoy the SQUEALING video. She is really finding her voice.

Happy 5 months Maddox

Maddox is 5 months old today!! Can't believe how quickly she is growing. Seems like yesterday we brought her home from the hospital. We had a good day today playing napping etc. AND we have big news, Maddox rolled over from her back to her stomach on Sunday and today she rolled from her stomach to her back. Pretty exciting! She still has a hard time getting her arm out from under her when she rolls from her back to her stomach but usually one of us is there to prod her along. Yesterday she rolled over without me knowing it and she must have worked to get her arm out on her own long enough to get herself into a crying fit. I came to the rescue to find that she wasn't in the same position that I had left her! We are really starting to read a lot of books to her and she seems to enjoy it. Eric has his favorites already, as do I...but we are trying to do a good job of rotating them all so she gets to hear all the stories. We try to do the same with all the great toys we've gotten as gifts. She does have a few favorites though. This pig, from cousin Hannah, is the newest 'love'. Eric makes it talk to her...and she giggles out loud. I just realized the taggies doll in the background.... looks like we just sort of threw her aside to the birds...poor thing...sorry Grandma Marti. She does like the all the toys especially the ones she can grab and then put into her mouth. EVERYTHING goes into her mouth right now. Maybe she is workin' on a tooth??

Lazy Saturday 1.30.2010

Not doing too much today. Just hangin' out on a cold Saturday. Eric was up to go for a run while Maddox and I slept in. She slept almost 13 hours last night!! PHEW! And she's sleeping again right now. She has been making the funniest sounds lately. Sometimes you can't tell if she is mad or just experimenting with her voice. So funny. The videos don't seem to be working so you all are welcome to come hear them in person...anytime! The little boy on the left is Nolan, one of my co-worker's sons. He was just born on 12.5.2009 and already weighs 15 pounds.....Maddox is only a little over 12lbs. CRAZY!! He is probably going to be a big boy....but very handsome. Maddox and Nolan will probably be in the same grade. Bet he's on the football team, and if Maddox follows in Mom's footsteps she'll be cheerin' him on. Although PV doesn't have the greatest football record. They are little more powerful in cross country as far as fall sports go. Happy Saturday everyone.

Maddox's Four Month Check Up

We just got back from Dr. Anderson's office. Maddox is still zonked out in her carseat. She got 2 shots today and it seemed the crying stopped a little bit sooner than last time but it was still VERY traumatic......for both her and I. She is up to 12lbs 6oz and is 25 inches long. She is in the 25th percentile for her weight ( a bit higher) and the 75th for her height ( a lot higher) compared to her 2 month check up. Dr. Anderson is happy with her numbers and isn't worried about her sleeping so much both at night and during the day. He says she'll wake up when she is hungry and per her numbers she is getting enough. He said we could start giving her rice cereal if we wanted. But I don't think her head control is quite there yet, so with his recommendation we'll wait a bit longer. I did tell him about her interest in food and he said that was a good indication she'd be ready when her head got a bit more stable. He says we start giving her cereal not really for calories...but more to introduce new textures/tastes/experiences to her. That should be fun. Let's see what else. He was happy with the report that she is pooping several times a day now but indicated that during this period of her life, pooping can be very inconsistent so not to be alarmed if she reverted back to her every 10 days or so schedule. So we go back again end of March for some more shots and another check up.